Check Out Alicia Briggs’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Briggs

Hi Alicia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Currently I am a bit of a wearer of many hats! I am a signed model, the Partnership Director for Kansas City Fashion Week, a business owner, and my day job is at a software company. Most people only know either the modeling/fashion side of me or the more corporate side, but rarely both.

I began modeling in 2017 in hopes to boost my confidence after years of disliking the way that I looked. I was extremely lucky to have found a group of friends during that time that would often get together and plan themed shoots multiple times per week. Being surrounded by people who loved creating and thinking of fun, new ideas is where my love for photography and modeling began.

Around that same time, I got employment at my first software company. As someone without a college degree, it is often difficult to imagine yourself having a job that “looks nice” on paper or, in some cases, one that even fully pays the bills. I was lucky enough to secure an entry level position in a billing department of a local Healthcare Software company (no, not Cerner) and after a year I was promoted to be a Solution Consultant who is actually building out the software for our customers.

Since then, I have been learning, growing, and becoming the best version of myself that I can be. In regard to modeling, in 2020 I was signed locally by Voices& and in 2022 I was signed nationally by SCE Angecy. I’ve also continued to grow in my career and I am extremely grateful to be able to say that I am to a position I never thought I would be in due to my lack of degree. I have met so many amazing people along the way who have helped me in these journies more than I can explain. Surrounding yourself with people who are also working to better themselves, networking, and building connections is the absolute best way to learn and grow in yourself.

When it comes to KCFW, I would be lying if I said that it didnt take me quite some time to build up the courage to even audition! I believe I finally pushed myself to do so in 2021 and I have been walking ever since! If I had never taken that leap and did the thing that scared me, I would have never been able to join the amazing KCFW staff and help put on the midwest’s largest fashion show twice a year!

In 2024, I officially became a business owner after I purchased my LLC for my 31st birthday. There is still quite a bit in the works for my company, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more information!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No road is smooth! It is extremely common for me to feel as though there is nowhere to go or no hope to be had in the moment. There are highs and lows in every journey, but I am so thankful that when I look back, I am in a much better place than I was when I began. Mentally, emotionally, financially, etc. Sometimes it will feel as though there is no way out of the situations you are in now, but there is a good chance that you’ve said that to yourself before and you were thankfully able to make it out.

There are photographers that won’t shoot with me because I don’t match the look they are wanting, jobs that won’t hire me because I don’t have a piece of paper, agencies that won’t sign me because of my size, scars, tattoos, etc, people that won’t support my venture into entrepreneurship… At the end of the day, it is their loss because I will continue to strive to be and do my best without them and I highly suggest everyone do the same.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Modeling-wise, I am a sucker for a creative shoot. Cover me in paint, throw fake blood on me, surround me in flowers, etc. Is that how I get paid? Not at all. However, that is what keeps my love of modeling alive and serves as my create outlet. For the commercial side of things, be sure to check me out in some ads for One Light, Two Light, Price Chopper, Big Biscuit, Charles Schwab, and a handful more!

The obvious thing that may set me apart from other commercial models (or many models in general) is the fact that I am a plus sized model. I actually began modeling at a much smaller size, but was not signed until I was about a size 14/16. I absolutely love representing women that look like me and reminding them that they are beautiful and powerful without needing to change anything about themselves or their weight.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Roadtrips with my family! We traveled to Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado every summer and Texas every November. I still love roadtrips, but now I don’t get to just sit in the back seat and announce every time I see cows.

Pricing:

• If you are interested in booking me as a model, please feel free to reach out to me via Instagram! (@aliyvonne.kc)
• If you are interested in partnering with Kansas City Fashion Week, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]
• If you are interested in following along as I build my company or in investment opportunities, Feel free to follow our Instagrams @be.wellco and @be.wellpublishing or email us at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/aliyvonne.kc